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It is unfortunate that this classic woodland wildflower has become uncommon. American Ginseng is a member of a small group of plants in the Araliaceae; these consist primarily of woodland wildflowers in Illinois. Another woodland wildflower that does not occur within the state, Panax trifolius (Dwarf Ginseng), is found further to the east. Dwarf Ginseng is smaller in size (about 6' tall) than American Ginseng, and its compound leaves are trifoliate, rather than palmate with 5 leaflets. The flowers and berries of these two species are similar to each other.